The federal government has extended the term of the Access to Information watchdog for a second time after a months-long search failed to turn up a suitable replacement.

An order-in-council dated Dec. 14, 2017 shows the government reappointed Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault to the position on an interim basis for two months, effective December 29.

Legault’s seven-year-mandate originally was set to wrap up earlier this year on June 29. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assigned her a six-month extension, which was due to expire at the end of December.

Over the past two years, the Trudeau government has struggled to replace a number of independent officers of Parliament and fill other federal appointments. It has blamed the delays on its new and “more rigorous” selection process.

In an email to iPolitics on December 14 , a spokesperson for the Privy Council Office (PCO) said the government recognizes the urgency of replacing the information commissioner but will “take as long as is needed” to name “the right person.”

“The Government is committed to carrying out the selection process for this leadership position as quickly as possible,” wrote Stéphane Shank, PCO’s manager of media relations. “At the same time, the Government is committed to identifying the most qualified candidate through an open, transparent and merit-based selection process, and will take as long as is needed to find the right person for this important position.

When asked whether the government might extend Legault’s term once more, or appoint an interim commissioner, Shank said “further information with respect to the Information Commissioner will be made available in due course.”

The order-in-council confirming Legault’s extension appears to have been issued at some point the same day.

Trudeau extended the terms of both the ethics and lobbying commissioners three times – which amounted to 18 months total – before naming their replacements.

By law, the government has to consult with the opposition parties on nominations for agents of Parliament. The Conservative party and the New Democrats have decried the government’s new appointment process, arguing that – counter to the Liberals’ claims – it is not open and transparent and that the government is not engaging in proper consultation on their nominees.